Lesson objectives: To know how Jews celebrate Pesach To understand why Jews celebrate Pesach To reflect upon the usefulness of having celebrations to remember special events

Answer the question: Do you think big celebrations (e.g. Christmas, Passover) are a helpful way of remembering past events? Make sure that you give reasons for your answer

Think about the different events that we may celebrate. Can you think of any actions that are performed? Do these symbolise anything? Why are celebrations important?

The festival of Pesach (Passover) helps Jews to remember all that God has done for them. It looks back to when God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt It also teaches the Jews that God will continue to care for and rescue His people in times of difficulty The celebration is called ‘pass over’ because it reminds the Jews of the last of the ten plagues, when the Angel of Death passed over the Jews and killed the Egyptians first born

The main part of the Passover celebration is the meal. This is called the Seder. We are going to re-enact the Seder meal in class.

Each food on the seder plate is symbolic, it is used to remind the Jews of something. FIRST - A drink is taken from the wine The wine is drunk as reminder of the freedom of the Jews and of the four promised which God made to Moses. The first drink reminds the Jews of the promise by God “ I will bring you out from under the burden of the Jews”

The next step in the Seder meal is to dip the parsley in the salt water. The Parsley is a symbol of the way God cared for the Jews when they were travelling in the desert. Dipping it in salt water is meant to remind the Jews of the tears they shed whilst they were slaves

Another sip is taken from the wine. This represents God’s promise to rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians. “I will rescue you from under their bondage (slavery)” (Exodus 6:6).

Matzah is eaten, symbolic of the fact that the Israelites need to leave Egypt in a hurry when Pharaoh released them (there wasn’t enough time for the bread to rise).

The herbs symbolise the bitterness of the Israelites slavery

This tasty mixture of apples, nuts, and spices represents the mortar used to make the bricks to build Pharaoh’s buildings. It is eaten with matzah.

The egg, is eaten in memory of animal sacrifices in the Temple (this no longer happens)

A shank bone is also on the seder plate. (It is not eaten) It is a reminder of the lamb which was killed so its blood could be put on the doorposts

A third sip of wine is taken which symbolises God’s promise to rescue the Jews “I will redeem (rescue) you with an outstretched arm”

Praises are read from the Psalms.

A final sip is taken of wine which symbolises God’s promise to Moses to protect his people “I will take you as my people”

Represents the Lamb sacrificed at Passover and later at the Temple. Represents the speed with which they had to leave Egypt. Represents the bitter times of slavery in Egypt. Represents the tears of the Israelite slaves in Egypt Represents the mortar used by the slaves to make bricks in Egypt Represents a fresh start after Egypt. Represents temple sacrifices The Seder Meal reminds Jews of how they were set free from Egypt long ago

From your experience of the Seder meal, write down some of the advantages of remembering past events through sharing a meal (think about the advantages over just reading about it in the Torah).